After 13 Years on Life Support, Harish Rana Passes Away in AIIMS Delhi
Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia: Coma Patient Harish Rana Dies After 13-Year Battle: In a rare and significant case in India, Harish Rana, who remained in a coma for 13 years following a severe head injury, passed away after being granted passive euthanasia.
Rana had been on life support since suffering a fall from a roof over a decade ago. Despite extensive treatment at leading hospitals, doctors declared his condition irreversible. His family, burdened by ongoing medical expenses of ₹60,000–₹70,000 per month, eventually approached the Supreme Court of India seeking legal permission to withdraw life support.
Following strict legal and medical protocols, Rana was admitted to the palliative care unit at All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Under supervised medical care, life-sustaining measures were gradually withdrawn as per passive euthanasia guidelines, leading to his death.
Passive euthanasia refers to the withdrawal of artificial life support in cases where recovery is deemed impossible. While legally permitted in India under strict conditions, such cases remain rare and highly regulated. This case is expected to serve as an important reference point in India’s legal and medical framework regarding end-of-life care.
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